Merrimac Dog Training Club

No Class will be held on Wednesday November 18th, a make up class will be offered on Sunday November 22 from 11-12 pm

Note: Melissa is a Certified Control Unleashed Instructor (CCUI). Control Unleashed was developed by internationally known trainer Leslie McDevitt, and is a collection of pattern games. 

Prerequisites: Having taken the prior Control Unleashed class, your dog knows and has learned the pattern games from another class or permission from the instructor (please email me at cushmanmm@yahoo.com for permission or if you are unsure if this class is a good fit) 

Now that your dogs know the pattern games we are going to continue challenging them to use those games in progressively harder situations with more distractions. This class will be run in rings 1 and 3 while agility is being run in rings 2 and 4. This is purposeful. We want the dogs to be able to work on staying engaged with the handler with different levels of distractions. That being said my goal is always for the dogs to be successful so that might involve having them work behind visual blinds, work from a further distance etc. Whatever is required so they can be successful and have a positive experience. 

Dogs that are working on reactivity to other dogs are welcome in the class, and the skills learned in the class are aimed at reducing reactivity and allowing dogs to stay engaged with their owners while other dogs are nearby, with the long-term goal of them being able to work off leash safely. That being said, safety precautions will be taken to ensure ALL dogs are safe at all times. We will be using gates/blinders and space. Dogs will need to be placed in their crates when not working.

Supplies: 4-6 foot leash, 10 foot leash, and LOTS of small (pea size) and easy-to-eat treats or kibble that your dog enjoys. We are working on creating strong emotional connections and conditioned emotional responses; the easiest way to do that is with food!